Newport, OR – A cougar spotted on a boat dock in Newport suffered a tragic demise after being shot with a tranquilizer dart on Thursday morning. According to the Newport Police, the cougar was on a dock at the Embarcadero Resort and wildlife officials responded.

Because the animal was near people, officials decided to use a dart to sedate him, even though he was near water. The police said:

With many people on the docks and in boats at close proximity to the cougar, decisions on how to deal with this tenuous public safety situation had to quickly be made by law enforcement and ODFW. Officials decided the best course of action was to dart the cougar, even though doing this on a dock surrounded by water was not ideal.

As soon as the big cat was darted, he jumped into the water. Officials removed him from the water and began compressions, but he could not be saved. The police said:

ODFW staff gave the cougar compressions to expel water and did everything they could to save the cougar, but despite their efforts it did not survive.

“This was not how ODFW wanted this situation to end,” said Brian Wolfer, ODFW Wildlife Division Deputy Administrator. “This cougar was in the wrong place at the wrong time and the intent was to move it to a more appropriate place away from people. It is unfortunate that this cougar did not survive, but all options to resolve the situation had risks.”

The authorities commented on the option to let the cougar leave the area on his own:

Another issue in this unique case is that the option to let the cougar leave the area on its own wasn’t possible. With many people and activities in the area, the potential risk to people and pets was too high.

(Photo collage via Central Oregon Daily/Desmond Harpster)

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